This is one of the best series I have read this year, and I am hoping it will continue. These historical mysteries --set in the early 18th century on the border of China and Tibet and in Beijing, with an exiled scholar/librarian as the unassuming detective --will transport you to a fascinating time and place. With their detailed historical research, careful characterizations, complex plots, and beautiful storytelling and writing, these are books to savor.  It's best to read the books in order: 1. Jade Dragon Mountain , 2. The White Mirror , 3. City of Ink .

 

"This debut historical mystery deftly combines ingenious plotting and suspense with a subtle understanding of China, its culture, and its people. The protagonist, Li Du, a librarian and intellectual, is well worth keeping an eye on." -- Donna Leon

 

"Elsa Hart's debut novel demands attention. Elegantly written, tightly controlled, and sweeping, Jade Dragon Mountain will leave its readers thinking as much about the nature of storytelling and memory as the vivid recreation of a poignant period in the history of China." - - Matthew Pearl

 

"Elsa Hart's third Li Du novel continues to impress. The mystery is multilayered and keeps you guessing. The setting breathes within the narrative, vividly enchanting readers into 18th-century China. Hart's narration has a musical quality that is descriptive while adding cultural flair. From the way tea leaves sulk in a cup to the way walls drape across the landscape like a necklace, the prose is beguiling. With an intelligent plot, intriguing characters, and historical depth, this book is a delight!" -- Historical Novel Society

 

"As always, Hart excels at making even walk-on characters fully realized and at combining a gripping whodunit plot with a vivid evocation of the period. This entry solidifies her status as a top-notch historical mystery author." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

 

ELSA HART was born in Rome, Italy, but she has lived in Moscow, the Czech Republic, the United States, and China. She earned a B.A. from Swarthmore College and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. She wrote Jade Dragon Mountain in Lijiang in the northwest of Yunnan province, China.